Disclosure: this post contains referral links.
A website is one of the most valuable assets for a vacation rental business. It gives you independence, helps you market directly to guests, and allows you to keep more of your profits. The good news is that creating a direct booking website has never been easier. In 2025 you can set one up in a matter of minutes.
This guide explains why direct bookings matter, the main options for building your site, and the steps you need to take.
Why Take Direct Bookings?
Before you build a website, decide if you want to accept bookings yourself. Many hosts choose to, and here are the main reasons:
- Save money. Avoid OTA fees of 5 to 15 percent.
- Stay independent. Don’t let Airbnb or Vrbo dictate your entire business.
- Grow your audience. Collect guest emails and build a marketing list.
- Build credibility. A direct booking site makes you look established and trustworthy.
- Use modern tools. Today’s PMS and booking systems make the process simple.
You will also need your own short-term rental insurance. When you accept bookings directly, you are responsible for liability and damages. But in truth, it is wise to have a policy regardless.
If you do not plan to accept bookings now, you can still create a simple site on Squarespace or Wix and link to your Airbnb or Vrbo listing. But if you want full control, read on.
Three Ways to Build a Direct Booking Website
You have three main options in 2025:
- Use a vacation rental website builder (easiest)
- Add a booking page to an external website
- Create a self-hosted WordPress site
Option 1: Vacation Rental Website Builders
Vacation rental management software often includes a website builder. These tools let you import listings, add a booking engine, and sync calendars across channels.
Popular choices include:
- Lodgify. Most templates and design flexibility
- OwnerRez. Advanced tools for managers with larger portfolios
- Uplisting. Simple but professional design
- Tokeet. Solid all-in-one platform
When you compare providers, check for three features:
- A booking engine to accept reservations and payments
- A channel manager to sync calendars and avoid double bookings
- A website builder to host your listings and content
Pros:
- Quick setup
- Lower cost, since everything is in one system
- Easy to manage
Cons:
- Design options are limited compared to external builders
- Most platforms only offer a handful of templates
Lodgify is the exception. It has one of the strongest website builders in the industry and offers a wide range of layouts.
Option 2: Add Direct Bookings to an External Website
If you want more design freedom, build a site on Squarespace, Wix, or similar platforms, and then connect it with booking software. This means you run two tools side by side: one for design and one for bookings.
For example:
Pros:
- More template options and modern design
- More control over branding and layout
- Better blogging features for SEO and marketing
Cons:
- One more platform to manage
- Slightly higher cost (about $10–20 per month for the extra site)
This option is popular with hosts who want a polished website and also need direct booking features.
Option 3: Self-Hosted WordPress Website
WordPress is flexible and widely used. If you are comfortable with plugins and themes, you can build your own direct booking website from scratch. Themes like Booklium are designed for vacation rentals and include booking features.
You can also add a booking widget from software like Lodgify to your WordPress site. This gives you full control over content and design, but it requires more setup.
Pros:
- Maximum flexibility
- Countless themes and plugins
- Full ownership of your site
Cons:
- More technical setup
- Ongoing maintenance and updates
Getting Started
No matter which path you choose, the steps are similar:
- Create a trial account with your chosen platform.
- Pick a template that fits your brand.
- Import your property details from Airbnb or Vrbo.
- Add extra pages for amenities, area info, or policies.
- Buy and connect a custom domain (about $10 per year).
Most providers offer tutorials and support to walk you through the process. Within a few hours you can have a live website ready to accept bookings.
Our Recommendations
If you want the easiest solution, start with Lodgify. It has the most advanced website builder and strong direct booking features.
If you want a custom design, combine Lodgify or Uplisting with Squarespace. This gives you better design freedom while still syncing bookings.
If you enjoy building websites, choose WordPress with a rental theme or plugin. This option takes more effort but gives you the most control.
Final Thoughts
A direct booking website is not just a nice-to-have. It protects your business, grows your guest list, and reduces reliance on OTAs. In 2025, setting one up is faster and easier than ever.
Start small, choose the option that fits your skills and goals, and improve over time.
👉 Download our free direct booking website checklist to guide you through setup.
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